Alex's gaze settled on the instructor standing before the assembly.
"Excuse me," he said calmly. "May I ask what exactly is meant by talent resonance?"
At that, the instructor's expression softened, as if he had been waiting for the question.
"Ah, of course. Mr. Moriarty," he said with a warm smile. "Talent resonance refers to the preliminary evaluation phase. During this stage, your cultivation base will be assessed. Only those who meet the requirements of Martial Warrior Level Three or above are permitted to advance to the next phase."
Alex raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"And how do you intend to measure the cultivation base?" he asked.
The instructor clasped his hands behind his back. "A Martial Warrior at Level Three possesses a minimum physical strength of four thousand kilograms and a movement speed exceeding forty meters per second."
Alex blinked once, then muttered softly while resting his cheek against his hand, "So you are measuring combat capability rather than the actual realm itself."
"Yes," the instructor replied without hesitation. "That is correct."
Alex let out a quiet sigh of relief. His cultivation system differed fundamentally from the standard framework used by the martial practitioners. If they had employed advanced detection devices to measure internal energy values or spiritual circulation, he would have faced unnecessary complications. Combat prowess, however, was a different matter entirely. That was something he could easily manage.
"Oh," the instructor added casually, as if remembering something trivial. "You five will not be required to participate in the first phase."
Alex did not protest. He understood the reasoning immediately.
But not everyone present shared his understanding.
"We can accept that Sir Alex is exempt," a young man from one of the Emperor Families spoke up, his voice edged with dissatisfaction. "But why do those other four receive a free pass as well?"
The speaker was an S Rank talent, someone accustomed to privilege and authority.
The instructor's expression turned icy.
"Mr. Windsor," he said coldly, "you have no authority to dictate how this institution conducts its examinations. Consider this a warning. If you raise another unnecessary objection, you will be disqualified from this year's recruitment test."
Silence fell instantly.
No one dared to argue further. The Aurora Martial Institution answered directly to the Alliance itself. Its instructors and elites were either trained by the Alliance or actively serving it. Status, lineage, or noble blood meant nothing here. Only talent mattered. And S Rank talents, impressive as they were, were far from rare in this place.
"Everyone else," the instructor continued, "enter the evaluation chamber immediately. As for you five, proceed to the simulation room and wait there."
The crowd dispersed quickly. Within moments, the vast open area was empty, leaving only the five chosen individuals behind.
Alex descended slowly from the air, his silver surfboard dissolving into streams of light before compacting back into the wristband around his arm.
Rey stepped forward first, extending his hand.
"I'm Rey Rosario," he said with a confident grin. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Mr. Moriarty. I'm looking forward to our battle. I won't be holding back."
Alex clasped Rey's hand and returned the smile.
"Good," he said. "Let's enjoy it then. I hope you can keep me entertained."
Next, a sharp presence cut between them.
Selena stepped forward, her expression cold and proud as she positioned herself directly in front of Alex.
"I am Selena Valentina," she said, chin lifted. "My bloodline talent is space manipulation. Try not to be defeated within seconds."
Alex met her gaze without flinching.
"I hope you actually manage to use that talent when we fight," he replied evenly.
Of the four standing before him, only Rey truly interested Alex. Rey's innate spear mastery was a pure combat talent, one that did not rely on energy constructs or conceptual techniques. Because of that, Alex's existential nullity would not suppress him. Rey would be able to fight at full strength.
The others were insignificant in his eyes.
Selena clearly sensed the faint mockery beneath his calm tone. Her eyes narrowed slightly. She had deliberately revealed her bloodline talent to intimidate him, to provoke a reaction. But the indifference she received instead unsettled her.
She said nothing further.
Then soft footsteps echoed behind them.
There was no need to turn around. Everyone already knew who it was.
The princess of the mysterious Celestus Family.
Long before the apocalypse, the Celestus were a martial clan whose ancestors could catch bullets with bare hands. After the apocalypse reshaped the world, they rose like a blazing sun, becoming one of the dominant factions within the Light Domain.
Anna Celestus stopped beside Alex.
"Alex," she said plainly. "I want to be your friend."
The reaction was immediate.
"What?" Rey blurted out.
Aren spoke at the same time, his voice sharp with disbelief.
Anna Celestus was widely regarded as the most beautiful human alive. Admirers numbered in the countless thousands. Aren himself had pursued her relentlessly.
As a member of the Nightveil Clan, another hidden martial lineage from before the apocalypse, Aren was familiar with the Celestus Family and interacted with them as an equal.
Yet Anna had never once acknowledged him beyond formal courtesy. The first time she spoke directly to him was earlier that day, and it had been to scold him.
And now she was asking this newcomer for friendship.
Aren felt his sanity slipping, jealousy and rage burning together in his chest.
Alex studied the veiled girl for a moment, genuine interest flickering through his eyes.
"Friendship?" he said slowly. "I'm afraid I'll have to decline for now. Trust has to be earned before I call someone a friend."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Rey, Selena, Aren, and even Anna stood frozen, staring at his retreating figure like carved statues.
He had just rejected the friendship of Anna Celestus.
Selena broke the silence first, a faint smile touching her lips.
"Interesting," she murmured. "To resist someone like her so casually. He really is something."
Rey, meanwhile, frowned deeply.
"Did all those public announcements mess with his head?" he wondered silently. "Or is something seriously wrong with him?"
Aren clenched his fists.
"You dare show such arrogance in front of Miss Anna," he thought viciously. "I'll humiliate you in the arena."
Anna remained where she was, lips twitching slightly.
She turned to her side, and her maid appeared instantly, as if stepping out from thin air.
"I am wearing the Celestus family crest," Anna said slowly. "Am I not?"
"Yes, my lady," the maid replied.
"Then does he truly not recognize me?" Anna asked. "Or is it because I did not formally introduce myself?"
The maid hesitated, then sighed.
"Either that," she said carefully, "or he genuinely does not care."
Anna's eye twitched.
"So that's how it is," she muttered. "Then I'll simply introduce myself properly next time."
High above the venue, hidden within a fold of space, an old man observed everything with narrowed eyes.
"That brat rejected my precious granddaughter," Max Celestus muttered coldly. "How arrogant."
A dangerous glint flashed in his gaze.
"So what if he has a powerful talent? If he dares insult my little Anna again, I'll fight the vice president himself if that's what it takes."
Down below, the five entered the virtual simulation chamber. Rows of sleek chairs lined the room, each equipped with a neural helmet.
Alex sat down without hesitation and placed the helmet over his head.
"Teacher," he said, already eager. "May I enter a virtual battlefield now? I want to practice."
The instructor guarding the chamber immediately straightened, a respectful smile spreading across his face.
"Of course," he said quickly.
Alex did not wait for the others.
The moment permission was granted, his consciousness plunged into the simulation.